What is King Kamehameha Day?

King Kamehameha Day, first observed in 1872, is celebrated in honor of King Kamehameha, who united all of the Hawaiin Islands and established and became the first king of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. Although King Kamehameha Day is a public, state holiday in Hawaii only, President Barack Obama encouraged all of America to celebrate the heritage, culture and spirit of Hawaii by proclaiming June 11 King Kamehameha Day in 2010. However, state offices, schools and some stores and businesses still only close in Hawaii.

When is King Kamehameha Day?

June 11 of each year.

How do people celebrate King Kamehameha Day?

In Hawaii, King Kamehameha Day celebrations include a floral parade and the annual King Kamehameha Hula Competition in Honolulu, the Kamehameha Festival in Hilo, parties and horseback riding competitions. The four statues of King Kamehameha, in the Hawaiin cities of Honolulu, Kapa’au and Hilo and in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol, are draped in lei.